Aquara

Aquara overlooks the Valle del Calore and is surrounded by the Monti Alburni. The town offers a variety of highlights for those looking for a hotel: landscapes, trails and traditional festivals sit alongside historic buildings. When choosing Aquara as your destination, consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay.

Landscapes and trails around Aquara

The trails vary in their destinations and in the information available about how they can be used. The Percorso da Aquara alla Grotta di San Michele Arcangelo starts at the foot of the built-up town center and ends near the grotto in the municipality of Sant’Angelo a Fasanella. It runs entirely on paved roads and is suitable for cycling.

The Percorso di San Lucido leads from the Abbazia di San Pietro to the Pietra di San Lucido in the Calore River and can also be ridden by bicycle. Unlike the route to the grotto, its stated destination is by the river, while the other route ends at a grotto. A mountain bike trail starts in Località Iannace and leads to the former sports field.

There are numerous trails for trekking and horseback riding in the area around Aquara. Rafting is possible on the Calore River. Località Mainardi also has a equipped picnic area by the Calore. These options appeal to different interests, from trail tours to activities on the river.

Buildings, traditions and festivals

The Palazzo Ducale is a ducal palace dating back to the 12th century. Its distinctive features include a porticoed cloister and artistically significant frescoes on the vaults. On the upper floor is a monumental, fan-shaped fountain made of local stone. These details bring together different aspects of the building: the layout of the cloister, the painted vaults, and the fountain’s shape and material.

The Ruderi dell’Abbazia Benedettina di S. Pietro are the remains of a Benedictine monastery that was elevated to the status of an abbey. The monk Lucido, regarded as the town’s patron saint, lived in the monastery complex. There is also a shrine dedicated to the Madonna del Cantiere in Pineta Iannace. These sites complement the Palazzo Ducale’s secular architecture with religious and monastic connections.

The traditional Carnevale di Aquara is included in Campania’s Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (IPIC). The Carnevale Aquarese is associated with peasant culture and is considered a fertility rite: it celebrates the agricultural production cycle and the transition from winter to spring. The tradition includes a procession through the town streets and a representation of the months of the year in the square. The festival thus brings together the cycle of the year, agriculture and community customs.

The Festa di S. Lucido takes place every year on July 27 and 28 in honor of Saint Lucido. The Festa di Santa Maria del Piano is associated with September 11 and 12; on September 12, it includes a procession from the parish church to the chapel of Piano. After the service, a torchlight procession returns to town. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates locally in advance.

Getting there and planning

Sita and Pecoraro are listed as the operators of buses from the nearest railway station in Capaccio to Aquara. Before traveling, check which connection is currently suitable. When choosing your destination, you can also consider whether to focus on historic buildings, festival traditions, or trails and activities on the Calore.

Discover more destinations: Laviano, San Marzano Sul Sarno, Bosco, Ogliastro Marina, Capaccio, Auletta, Battaglia Di Casaletto Spartano, Pioppi.

Back to the main travel overview: Salerno.